Massage device with hollow applicator for holding heating or cooling media



May 14, 1968 J. R. HARRIS $382,856

MASSAGE DEVICE WITH HOLLOW APPLICATOR FOR HOLDING HEATING OR COOLING MEDIA Filed Oct. 20, 1965 INVENTOR. JACK RAMSAY HARRIS ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,382,866 MASSAGE DEVICE WITH HOLLOW APPLICATOR FOR HOLDING HEATING 0R COOLING MEDIA Jack Ramsay Harris, 245 Race St., Denver, Colo. 80206 Filed Oct. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 498,882 7 Claims. (Cl. 128-24.3)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Massage device for hot or cold body treatment inclusive of container of paraboloid shape having double curved smooth exterior surface and formed of thin material of high heat conductivity and flat wall closure transverse of axis of paraboloid shape with handle projecting from wall closure on paraboloid axis. Handle detachable from container and of sectional construction joined by swivel coupling for rotary movement of skin contacting container during use. Sectional or two piece construction with one section having open end of para'boloid shape forming one mating surface of liquid sealing joint and other section outer annular surface having flexible member forming other mating surface to permit assembly and disassembly. Handle including hollow portion for heating element and power supply for heating element.

The present invention relates to massage devices and more particularly to massage devices for hot and cold treatment of the skin.

Stimulation of the skin parts of the human body by hot and cold massage treatment is etfective for body therapy and improves skin appearance.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a simple, durable and easy to use massage device suitable for hot and cold treatments of the skin parts of the human body.

Another object of this invention is to provide a was sage device which is particularly suitable for treating irregular skin parts of the body such as the face.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel massage device suitable for home travel or commercial beauty shop use in treating the facial skin for pufliness, wrinkles or the like.

'Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional side elevation view of a massage device drawn approximately to scale embodying this invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional side elevation view of the container showing another form of liquid-sealing joint embodying this invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional side elevation view of the container showing still another form of liquidsealing joint embodying this invention;

'FIG. 4 is a sectional side elevation view of another form of handle for the container embodying this invention; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional side elevational view of a modified form of a hollow handle and cap combination embodying this invention adapted for electrical heating of the container.

FIG. 6 is a sectional side elevation view of a massage device having a forward curvilinear cap for access which embodies this invention.

Referring now to the drawing, the massage device illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a hollow container 2 which is generally egg-shaped except for a substantially pointed front end portion and flat rear end portion. In geometrical terms the hollow container is essentially parabolic in shape or a paraboloid with an essentially pointed front end nose and progressively widening side walls terminating in an open end portion oppositely of said nose. The exterior surface of the container is smooth for contacting the skin as will be described more fully hereinafter.

The rear end portion of the container of the device of FIG. 1 is in the form of a removable cap or closure means 3 having a flanged portion 4 abutting the rear ends of container sides to provide an access opening for introduction and removal of heat exchange media or hot or cold absorbent material in the form of cubes generally designated by numeral 5. A typical example of the material 5 for a cold massage treatment is ice cubes. A seal 7 is supported along the outer peripheral surface of the cap and abuts the inner surface of the side portion in force fitting relationship to provide a liquid-sealing joint for the container.

An elongated handle '8 is seclured to the central portion of the cap 3 to facilitate movement of the container during skin treatment and to provide means by which the cap 3 may be removed for the introduction of the heat exchange media 5. Handle 8 is preferably detachably secured to cap 3 by a threaded member 9 which is rigidly secured to and extends through the cap into a threaded aperture 10zin the top portion of the handle. Alternately, a threaded portion may be provided on the handle which threads into a threaded aperture in the cap.

Further preferred embodiments of liquid-sealing joints are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In FIG. 2 an O-ring seal 1'1 between the cap 3a and a flared portion 12 of the container 2a is shown. In FIG. 3 the inner surface of the side portions of the container 2b is provided with a flange 1'3 and internal threads 14. Threads 15 are provided along the outer peripheral surface of the cap 3b for threading into the threads 14. A circular gasket or seal member 16 is held between the flange 13 and top surface of the cap 3 for the liquid-sealing joint.

An alternative form of handle for the device is shown in FIG. 4 wherein the handle is split or divided into two sections 17 and 18 which are coupled by a swivel coupling 19 for rotary movement of one section with respect to the other.

In the arrangement of FIG. 5, the handle is of greater diameter than that shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. The handle is formed of a non-conductive material such as wood or plastic and is divided into forward and rear positions 27 and 28, respectively, removably connected at adjoining ends by a threaded coupling 29 in which rear portion 28 threads into forward portion 27. The surfaces of threaded portion 29 are of electrically conductive material to form part of the electrical heating circuit as hereinafter described. The threads of coupling 29 are opposite of threaded member 9 and aperture 10 so that turning of the lower portion 28 to gain access to the hollow portion and to replace the batteries will not detach the entire handle from the cap. Rear portion 28 is generally hollow having an access opening at the forward end and closed at its rear end and shaped to receive and support an electrical power supply in the form of storage batteries 31 and 32.

Cap 3 of FIG. 5 is provided with an electrical heating element 34 embedded therein and electrically connected to exterior terminals 35 and 36 at opposite ends. It is understood that various types of heating elements 34 are contemplated and that the arrangement of FIG. 5 is used for illustrative purposes only.

Battery contact element 38 is secured to the forward handle portion 27 and connects to threaded portion 29 and electrically contacts battery 31. A battery contact element 39 is secured to handle portion 28 and electrical- 3 ly contacts battery 32. Batteries 31 and 32 are held under slight compression between contact elements 38 and 39.

External terminals 41 and 42 are provided in the rear end of handle portion 28 and are electrically connected minals 41 and 42 connect to terminals 35 and 36, respecly. A threaded aperture 43 is provided in the rear end of handle portion 28 which will thread onto threaded member 9.

When heating is desired, the handle inclusive of portions 27 and 28 are detached at one end from cap 3 by unthreading threaded member 9 from aperture and threading aperture 43 over threaded member 9. Upon drawing the handle portion 28 tightly against cap 3, terminals 41 and 42 connects to terminals 35 and 36, respectively, thereby applying the electrical potential of batteries 31 and 32 to heater element 34. In this manner, the container 2 may be maintained at a substantially uniform temperature during extended periods of use.

It is also understood by making the handle hollow, it may be used as a container for known liquids or powders suitable for skin medication, such as for the treatment of acne, with a suitable dispenser, such as shaker openings for powder or a spray dispenser for liquids. Known roll or aerosol sprays may be stored in such a hollow handle and conveniently applied for soothing of the skin.

Referring now to FIG. 6, another embodiment of this invention is shown in which the rear end portion 44 is an integral part of the container and a forward generally pointed curvilinear portion is in the form of a cap 45 and is detachable to provide an access opening into the container. A flange 46 forms a male joint portion and is secured on the inner side of the container for supporting a pair of spaced O-ring seals 47 and 48. The curved cap 45 forms a female joint portion which fits over the O-ring seals to form a liquid sealing joint to contain the heat exchange media.

A Zero-Pack product of Royal Super Ice Company is an example of such a temperature absorbing media capable of absorbing hot or cold.

In use, the above described massage device is moved over and in contact with the skin parts with the user gripping the handle portion. The heat exchange media heats or cools the container walls depending on the type of media used to transmit heat or cold to the skin. The sectional handle as shown in FIG. 4 permits a rotary action during application. Various types of materials of high heat conductivity are suitable for the container such as metal, plastic or glass. Aluminum and stainless steel are preferred metals. Various forms of frozen water such as ice cubes for a cooling media may be used.

The generally pointed curvilinear forward surface of the container is particularly suitable for contacting the irregular facial features of the body such as around the eyes. The shaping of the container with the flat bottom portion also allows for the storage of a plurality of the containers in a pack or the like and suitable for storage in a refrigerator or heater until time for use. This pack will include a single detachable handle 8 which can be used for each of such plurality of stored containers and will be attached to and removed from each container when desired. In the storage of a plurality of containers in a pack as above described it is contemplated that where low temperatures are desired, all of the pack containers be partially filled with water, frozen and maintained below freezing until time of use. Boiling water is one example of a means of heating the container and heat absorbing material prior to use.

In using ice or other coolant as the heat exchange media, it has been found that a device embodying this invention firms and tightens the skin, reduces pufliness, eliminates pains of headache, generally tones the face and chin and generally relieves tension of neck, shoulder or other parts of the body. A device embodying the features of the present invention provides a massage for quick temporary relief from minor aches and pains which include hay fever, bursitis, headaches, enlarged pores, sinus, eczema, acne, muscular aches and pains from overexertions, fatigue, or tension.

I claim:

1. A massage device for hot or cold application, comprising a hollow container, having a detachable closure portion at the rearward end of the container and a handle secured to the closure portion, said container being formed of relatively thin material of high heat conductivity and essentially egg-shaped and having a smooth exterior surface for contacting the skin of a user, and a liquid-sealing joint in the container walls and the closure portion to form a seal between and providing access to its interior for introduction and removal of heat exchange media, whereby the smooth exterior surface can be chilled or heated prior to and during its movement in contact with the skin of a user, said closure portion inclusive of a heating element and a power supply for the heating element is contained in the handle.

2. A massage device for hot or cold application comprising a hollow container having a first portion including wall means of an essentially paraboloid shape having smooth exterior surfaces and being formed of relatively thin material of essentially uniform thickness and of high heat conducitivity for contacting the skin of a user and a second portion including wall means extending substantially transversely of and forming a closure for the wider end of said first portion and an elongated handle having one end projecting outwardly from a central portion of the exterior surface of said second portion on the axis of said paraboloid shaped first portion for grasping by a user, said container adapted for containing a temperature absorbent material whereby said smooth exterior surface can be chilled or heated prior toand during its movement in contact with the skin of a user.

3. A massage device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said handle has an inner section secured to said wall means of said second portion and an outer section, said inner and outer sections having adjacent end portions and internal apertures arranged for receiving a swivel coupling member to permit conjoint rotation of said container and inner section with respect to said outer section.

4. A massage device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said handle includes a flat end for abutting against said wall means and is detachably joined to said container by a threaded member projecting outwardly from said second portion and a threaded aperture in an end portion of said handle for threading into said threaded member.

5. A massage device for hot or cold application comprising a hollow container having a first portion including wall means of an essentially paraboloid shape having an essentially pointed nose at one end and progressively widening side walls terminating at an open end portion oppositely of said nose forming an inner annular female joint portion, said first portion being formed of a relatively thin material of high heat conductivity and of essentially uniform thickness throughout and having a smooth exterior surface for contacting the skin of a user, and a second portion inclusive of a closure wall means extending substantially transversely of the axis of said paraboloid shaped first portion and an outer annular surface of a lesser dimension than said inner annular surface forming a male joint portion, and a flexible member carried on said male joint portion arranged to bear against said inner and outer annular surfaces in a friction fitting relationship throughout their circumferential extent for holding said first and second portions in a closed position to form a liquid-sealing joint therebetween to permit assembly and disassembly of said first and second portions by slidable movement toward and away from each other, said joint thereby providing access to the interior of said container for introduction and removal of heat exchange media whereby the smooth exterior surface can be chilled or heated prior to and during its movement in contact with the skin of a user.

5 6 6. A massage device as set forth in claim 5 wherein References Cited said outer annular surface of said second portion has UNITED STATES PATENTS a double flanged shape forming an annular recess for supporting an annular flexible member which substanig gg g g i Linden 128*24'2 tially fills said recess and projects outwardly from the 5 7 92 Engstrom' 1,833,105 11/1931 Aronson 128-242 double flanges. 6 4 93 7. A massage device as set forth in claim 5 wherein 2 8/1 4 128 24'3 said second portion is generally hollow and forms an FOREIGN PATENTS extension of the widening side walls of said paraboloid 11 422 11/1895 Switzerland shaping of said first portion, said extension having an in- 10 turned shape at an open end adjoining said first portion L W. TRAPP, Primary Examiner to form said outer annular flange. 

